PITTSBURGH, Pa. --  The Mercyhurst women's ice hockey team lost its second-straight game in as many days to Robert Morris by a 2-1 score on Saturday afternoon, the same score as Friday's contest at RMU Sports Center. The loss marks the Lakers fifth consecutive loss in October.
 
Mercyhurst did find a spark on the power play in the game's first period. The Lakers had entered the game three of 42 with an extra skater this season, but they started the game one for one thanks to Brook Hartwick. Hartwick scored at the 12:14 mark in the period with assists given to Jillian Skinner and Taylor Accursi. Hartwick leads the Lakers with three goals and five points through eight games.
 
Sarah McDonnell got the start in net for Mercyhurst and she had a solid first period with 10 saves and zero goals allowed. The defense in front of her also proved up to the task of stopping the Colonials, as the team accumulated 11 blocked shots in the period.
 
In the second period, Robert Morris tied the score 1-1 at the 8:56 mark. Rikki Meilleur's first goal of the season came at even strength to break McDonnell's shutout bid. Aneta Ledlova and Maggie Lague assisted Meilleur on the score.
 
The game remained tied until late in the third period. After the Lakers generated multiple chances on the power play that began at the 11:15 mark, Robert Morris scored again at even-strength for the go-ahead goal. Mackenzie Johnston scored her first of the season, with another assists being awarded to Aneta Ledlova. Jessica Gazzola picked up the other helper on the goal and the Colonial's led 2-1.
 
After falling behind, Mercyhurst sent a flurry of shots in the direction of RMU goalie Jessica Dodds. Dodds was able to stall all five shots that made it to her, enabling Robert Morris to hang on and win 2-1.
 
Mercyhurst (1-6-1) now falls to 0-2-0 in College Hockey America conference play. They will look to turn things around when hosting Penn State for a two-game weekend series on Nov. 4-5. Game time on Friday the 4^th is set for 7:00 p.m.